Western Misconceptions and Propaganda Against Islam
By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam
1 November 2025
Abstract:
The article “Western Misconceptions and Propaganda Against Islam” explains that Islam has long been subjected to false propaganda from the West. Orientalists have attempted to damage the image of Islam by linking it with terrorism and oppression, while ignoring its true message of peace, justice, and respect for humanity. It highlights Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai’s book Islam: In the Eyes of the West, which responds to these misconceptions through sincere and rigorous scholarship. The article also warns against the misuse of “freedom of expression” to insult religions or offend believers. It calls on Muslim scholars to counter such criticism with knowledge, honesty, and fairness. Ultimately, it emphasises that Islam promotes peace, brotherhood, and respect for all faiths, and that interfaith dialogue and intellectual balance can lead to global harmony and understanding.
Main Points:
1. Islam faces constant Western propaganda aiming to distort its true message of peace and humanity.
2. Orientalists misrepresent Islamic sources, linking Islam unfairly with terrorism and gender injustice.
3. Professor Kidwai’s research defends Islam through balanced, scholarly, and truthful responses.
4. Freedom of speech should not justify disrespect towards any religion or belief system.
5. Mutual respect, interfaith dialogue, and intellectual honesty can build global harmony and understanding.
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We cannot deny the fact that conspiracies and propaganda against Islam have been active in almost every era. Opponents and critics have always tried their best to damage the spirit of Islam and distort its pure and transparent values and traditions. They have made continuous efforts to erase Islamic identity. However, the truth is that those who raised their voices against Islam have never succeeded in their evil aims.
Islam stands as a powerful symbol of eternity, universality, truth, and rationality. It recognises human rights and duties, social diversity, and respect for all other religions. Islam provides clear guidance for humanity in social, political, and economic matters. It also contains principles that promote unity and brotherhood within society.
Despite this, a certain group continues to raise doubts and objections against Islamic teachings out of prejudice and hatred. Such people attempt to create mental and ideological confusion among humankind. To divide society or turn people away from faith, they spread false and misleading information, hiding the truth and real knowledge.
If we look at the Orientalists and their institutions, we find that they have made serious academic and practical efforts to distort the true teachings of Islam. They have raised baseless objections against Islamic sources — the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic civilisation. Moreover, they have falsely linked Islam with terrorism. These are all things we witness daily. Large missionary and academic organisations are still working to strengthen these lies.
It is well known that Islam is a religion of peace, security, and harmony. It is the true advocate of peace in the world. Yet, despite this, Orientalists continue to make unreasonable and baseless statements about Islam. The positive side, however, is that many scholars and intellectuals have worked tirelessly to remove the doubts created by such propaganda.
In this context, a recent valuable book titled Islam: In the Eyes of the West by the renowned scholar Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai, edited by Maulana Rafiq Ahmad Raees Salafi, deserves attention. This book analyses the writings of Western scholars on the Qur’an, the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and English literature.
It must be remembered that today, freedom of expression is highly valued around the world. Unfortunately, in the name of freedom of speech, many people disrespect cultural, moral, and religious values. This trend is quite common in the West and is now appearing even in India’s pluralistic society. We must not forget that freedom of expression does not mean attacking any faith, belief, or religion, nor does it allow us to hurt people’s sacred feelings. Sadly, this misuse of liberty is now widespread, and it damages human relationships and the moral health of societies, turning nations against each other. Therefore, under the banner of “freedom of speech,” no one should be allowed to cause pain or offence to others.
The editor, Maulana Rafiq Ahmad Raees Salafi, writes:
“For a long time, Western scholars of Islam, under the banner of academic freedom and objective research, have written misleading things about the Qur’an, the Prophet’s life, and other Islamic teachings. Because of this, the image of Muslims in the world has been badly distorted. Muslims are shown as enemies of humanity and as people lacking noble values. The teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith concerning women are ignored, and it is falsely claimed that women in Islam live a life of oppression and humiliation. The purpose behind all this is to present Muslims as enemies of civilization so that every action taken against them may seem justified in the name of protecting humanity. What we see happening globally against Islam and Muslims today is the result of this biased and prejudiced approach.”
Orientalists have deliberately created an incomplete and negative image of Islam in their writings, and many people have accepted these false claims as truth. This is part of their planned conspiracy, which Muslim scholars must understand deeply. Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai has firmly resolved that any false or misleading claim made by Orientalists in the name of scholarship will be refuted with honesty and academic integrity.
It is unfortunate, however, that many of our own research institutions are guided more by sectarian biases than by pure scholarship. One reason for this is that most of our religious institutions and scholars are not familiar with the languages and academic styles used by Orientalists. Because of this gap, it can be said with confidence that we do not currently have any organised national or international institution dedicated to responding to objections raised against Islam in a systematic manner.
From a missionary and intellectual perspective, it is essential to address and remove such objections so that the image of Islam remains pure and transparent. Therefore, we must pay serious attention to this area.
After reading Islam: In the Eyes of the West, one realises how severely Orientalists have tarnished the image of Islamic values. Their claims are extremely dangerous, and this book exposes their hidden motives in detail. At the same time, there have also been a few balanced and fair-minded Western thinkers — such as Maurice Bucaille — who tried to understand Islam free from prejudice.
In today’s academic world, however, impartiality and fairness are rarely seen. Almost everyone is influenced by some affiliation or interest, which affects their understanding of Islam. Orientalism has become an organised intellectual movement, and those associated with it generally look at Islam through the same narrow lens as their predecessors.
This book also conveys a valuable message: researchers and scholars should adopt balance, honesty, and fairness in their work. Truth should be acknowledged openly, even if it goes against one’s own ideology or viewpoint. Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai also promotes intellectual harmony, social diversity, and interfaith understanding.
In the preface of his book, he writes:
“It is important to know how followers of other religions view us, how deep their understanding of Islam is, what their aims are, and what effects their ideas have on society. This awareness serves as a mirror for our self-evaluation. Muslim students and researchers should engage seriously in such academic efforts, which promote interreligious and intercultural understanding and strengthen mutual respect and unity among humankind. By doing so, we can live together peacefully in a happy world. The Qur’an itself teaches tolerance and respect for other religions. Therefore, it is our duty to rise above prejudice, abandon baseless assumptions, and contribute to building a better world.”
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Dr Zafar Darik Qasmi is an author and a New Age Islam Regular Columnist.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-west/western-misconceptions-propaganda/d/137479
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